CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ‘IMPROVED SUNRISE SOLO LINE 72-12’ PAPAYA FRUITS SUBMITTED TO DIFFERENT MECHANICAL DAMAGE

Luiz Carlos Chamhum Salomão,César Fernandes Aquino,Luciano Ribeiro Braga,Leila Cristina Rosa De Lins,Paulo Roberto Cecon

doi:10.1590/0100-29452016095

Luiz Carlos Chamhum Salomão, César Fernandes Aquino + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-29452016095

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Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate some changes in the metabolism of papaya fruits submitted to damage by impact, abrasion and compression. Injuries were caused in two areas of 15 cm2 each; in diametrically opposite positions in the equatorial region of ‘Improved Sunrise Solo Line 72/12’ papaya fruits in ripening stage 3 (fruits with 25-40% of yellow skin). After damage, fruits were stored at 15 ± 1 °C and 85 ± 5% RH, and samples were taken at intervals of two days to evaluate skin color index, incidence of diseases, loss of fresh weight, leak of solutes, pulp firmness, soluble solids content and pectinmethylesterase and polygalacturonase activities. The respiratory rate was measured at intervals of 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after damage. The results show the suppressive effects of mechanical damage on the final quality and also on fruit shelf life. Mechanically damaged fruits anticipated ripening, with skin color indexes higher than control fruits. Abrasion was the damage that caused more dramatic effects, showing, at the end of the study period, loss of fresh weight and leak of solutes of 27% and 18.7%, respectively, higher than control fruits. In addition, fruits submitted to this type of damage have higher respiratory rate and also higher rot incidence. The pectinmethylesterase and polygalacturonase activity was not consistently changed in relation to damage. Similarly, there was no difference in soluble solids content.

Highlights

Papaya is one of the tropical fruits most consumed in Brazil, with high economic importance in the national fruit production chain (LUZ et al, 2015)
Papaya is susceptible to mechanical damage, especially abrasion, impact, compression and cuts (MORETTI, 2002)
The aim of this study was to evaluate some changes in metabolism of ‘Improved Sunrise Solo Line 72/12’ papaya submitted to mechanical damage caused by impact, abrasion and compression

Summary

Introduction

Papaya is one of the tropical fruits most consumed in Brazil, with high economic importance in the national fruit production chain (LUZ et al, 2015). In 2012, papaya world production was about 12 million tons, approximately 435,000 hectares harvested. Brazil stands out as the second world producer, producing that year, about 1.5 million tons in 31,000 hectares harvested, besides being the world’s third largest exporter (FAO, 2015). Available data from 2014 indicate that the states of Bahia, Espirito Santo, Ceara and Minas Gerais account for 86% of national production (IBGE, 2015). Papaya is susceptible to mechanical damage, especially abrasion, impact, compression and cuts (MORETTI, 2002). The fruit requires special care during harvest and post-harvest procedures for being quite perishable, having thin skin, tender pulp and climacteric respiratory pattern (PAULL, 1993), with a relatively short post-harvest life, completing its maturation in a few days

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